FORMER Worcester Wolves player Ty Shaw will return to the city as the new head coach and director of basketball.

The American, who played for the University of Worcester and Wolves between 2003 and 2006, replaces Paul James and Dale Ryan to take on the top job.

During his time at Wolves the 39-year-old helped the club win the EBL Division Two play-off finals in Birmingham, gain promotion to EBL Division One and win the Patrons Cup in 2004.

Further success was achieved with victory in the National Trophy Final at the Coventry Sky Dome in 2006.

The university also won its first British Universities championships with Shaw as captain in 2005.

They were champions the following season when he embarked upon his first year as a player-coach of the University side.

Wolves managing director Mick Donovan said he was confident Shaw would make a "huge impact" at Wolves and the university.

“We are entering a new era with the Worcester Wolves and want to build upon the excellent foundations that we have in place within the University of Worcester programme," Donovan said.

“Ty Shaw has proven experience working with players at all levels, from professional to student/athletes, and has the ability to motivate and improve the people that he works with, and like him, they will want to do as much as they possibly can to achieve their potential.

"We are delighted with this appointment and truly believe that he will have a huge impact as our director of basketball at the university and as head coach of the Worcester Wolves.”

Shaw’s experience at Worcester led him to a coaching career that has seen him coach German Pro B sides and at American universities.

As the head coach of the White Wings Hanau in 2013-14, Shaw steered the team to a first place finish in the South Division.

In the previous year, he guided TV Langen to second and was named runner-up for the Pro B Coach of the Year.

He began that year coaching their under 18s team to a perfect 21-0 record, finishing in first place and winning State and Regional titles and advancing to the national tournament.

Most recently, Shaw has worked as assistant head coach of the men’s NCAA Division II Fresno Pacific University before a move in 2016 to NCAA Division I Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne, to become assistant coach of their women’s team.

Wolves say Shaw has accepted the position at Worcester "subject to completion of formalities".

Shaw said: “I am very excited and humbled by the opportunity to return to Worcester.

"The programme has developed a lot since my time here as a player and I look forward to continuing to strive for excellence now as the director of basketball and head coach.

"We have top-notch facilities, wonderful fans, and a great chance to attack the new season.

“I would also like to thank the senior management team at the Worcester Wolves and the University of Worcester for placing their trust in me.

"It is very inspiring to be in a programme that has so many opportunities available for education, development, and community involvement.

“In terms of basketball, I look to hit the ground running once I arrive in Worcester.

"The club has already signed some great players and I am very excited to get the chance to work with them this year.

"We are going to work extremely hard to make the community proud of the Wolves.”

Shaw’s first BBL game of the season as head coach will be against the Plymouth Raiders at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday, September 21 (7.30pm).